Where Most Needed

The story seems simple:  Oxfam has suspended some operations around Banda Aceh after it found financial irregularities.  But there are some interesting differences between the reports that appeared in the New York Times (Stephanie Strom) and the Jakarta Post (Nani Afrida).   Both stories agreed that the amounts in question were in the tens of thousands, which was not great compared to the project's $48 million budget (NYT) or $30 million budget (JP). 

In New York, the spokeswoman goes nameless.  In Jakarta, Oxfam national media officer Yon Thayrun appears to have something of a profile in development reporting.

In New York, Oxfam makes it clear that the suspension only affects home construction, not water and sanitaion projects.  But in Jakarta, we learn that in the Aceh Besar region, Oxfam had already built 379 homes in 2005 and plans 374 for this year.  Work remains unaffected in the other Oxfam offices in Sigli, Meulaboh, Calang, Nias, Lhokseumawe and Lamno.

But the most intriguing omission in the New York story provides an insight into the way development relief is managed on the ground.  The Jakarta story notes that the Oxfam staff of 140 includes just 8 expatriates, and the staff continues to be paid even though they were asked not to come to work.